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I was looking at some old photos and ran across these. The first is a close-up of a knife. I would say that you could not tell the size from the photo. The second shows how small the knife actually is.

Well I decided to shelf the fine silver guard until I get better at working with it. I started one in bronze today, but it is only single sided, I don't know yet if I like it or not. Feel free to comment on it, I still have some bronze in the same thickness so I can make another one real quick. Started fitting the handle as well, its walrus ivory, still oversize.

Got the guard sanded for final fitment, brought the handle down a more workable size for finishing.

Fitted the guard, it is friction fit very tight, I had to hammer it on and the tang hole was tapered to allow room for super glue.

Got the handl assembly glued up. I decided to add a bit of spacer between the guard and ivory for just a little bit of color and because the superglue can leave a small gap. Still debating if I want to do a pommel or butt cap on this one.

Comments, thoughts and opinions are more than welcome and are encouraged.

Started a bit of handle and guard shaping. This is closer to the final shape, but still needs much refinement. I have to udercut the guard just a touch, carrying the radius from the underside all the way around. Also the ivory needs to be thinned maybe .015" on all sides. I have some 1mm leather and I may actually attempt a sheath with this one as well.

I have something nice in store. I am watching and letting the others post for now. I'll put up some photos soon.
I also have a couple other mini projects I'll be posting on in the next month or so that will be neat.

Got to get past this Sunday first, when I have a private show. I ground the handles on forty-five knives this evening, and will finish sand them and buff them tomorrow. I died all the sheaths this morning at 7AM. I accidentally let this show sneak up on me. It is the father's day show, but I forgot it was the week before father's day. I thought I had another whole week to go until last weekend when I looked at my calendar. No problem, I work better under the gun than when I have time.

Stacy E.Apelt
It is better to die fighting evil than to live under it.

c'mon man! You need some handle material to get you going? I've got all kinds of stuff! Let me know what you need! How's Graham's mini coming along?
-Xander

I have the materials, I just need to get to it. I've got a full sized knife that's been waiting for a handle for almost a year now, and another waiting for 2 years! Graham has cut out three blades and is filing on them all the time. He might get one of them done this weekend, hopefully.

I finished the mini today while things were slower at the show. I will post photos when I get a chance to take them, but here are the specs:
Mini Naval Cutlass sword
80mm OAL
60mm Blade
Scale - 12:1
.70mm thick
W2 steel
Sterling guard
Stacked leather handle
11/0 tap for the tang and pommel.

If I don't say so myself, this is a top rate mini.....one of the best I have made.

Stacy E.Apelt
It is better to die fighting evil than to live under it.

OK, I shot a couple quick and dirty shots of the sword, as well as pulled up a shot of the handle stack before grinding. It is 18 layers of 1mm leather. The shots of the sword don't show much, but give an idea of size.
I also added two shots of the table at my private show.

Yes, it was compressed on a .75mm steel core, which was used as the mandrel to turn down the handle to near final size. Then the metal was heated on the ends and driven out of the leather. The tang of the sword was heated and hot fitted to the leather to get a perfect fit. Then the handle was sanded down to final shape, and buffed. It was then removed and the hand guard fitted. The tang was threaded with an 11/0 tap and the pommel was tapped the same. The whole assembly is screwed on by the pommel nut.

Stacy E.Apelt
It is better to die fighting evil than to live under it.

Here is a sword by Ron Frazier. It is a miniature copy of one of his full size pieces. He was making this when he passed away.
The blade was rusty, and the handle was only partially done. After restoring the blade, I finished the fittings, and fire blued them. The ivory is mammoth.
OAL is 3.5"